Ty Howard
Copyright © by MOTIVATION magazine. All rights reserved.
The concept of self-care and self-love is misinterpreted by most of the people most of the time. This concept cannot be adequately applied individually or collectively if one does not understand it clearly. Self-care is the practice of taking an active role in caring for and protecting one's well-being and happiness. Self-love means to wholeheartedly accept oneself the way you are, with all the flaws and imperfections, the bad and the good.
"Why are self-care and self-love important?" you ask. For many of us, self-care and self-love might sound like some feel-good kumbaya activity or cheesy self-help experience — or a new-age fad circling the globe. Ironically, however, self-care and self-love are needed most by those of us who work too hard and who are continually striving to exceed ourselves while simultaneously building better health, self-awareness, self-worth, self-esteem, relationships, and happiness.
I break self-care and self-love down into the following seven areas of life: Physical, Psychological, Emotional, Social, Relationships, Family, and Spiritual. These seven areas can give and bring all of us needed purpose, meaning, direction, intentions, and significance in life.
The seven areas of life listed above are why a high level of self-care and self-love is important. Both are key for mental health and well-being; they can also keep stress, depression, and anxiety at bay. Below, I share nine quick ways to incorporate and improve your self-care and self-love habits starting today.
1) Confront Your Fears
The first step of self-care and self-love is to confront your fears and face them head-on; to go beyond the limitations and confinements made by you. All the superheroes we read about have done the same. Now is the time for you to be your own superhero.
2) Boldly Identify and Work on Your Flaws
We all have flaws! After identifying your flaws and bad habits, start working daily to practice and create new healthy habits that raise your self-care and self-love bar.
3) Serve Yourself
In this busy world, you have to intentionally take a stand to create time and take great care of you. Teachers are serving students and schools, leaders are growing companies and communities, baristas are making coffee for others, guards are securing different properties and people, and stay-at-home parents are taking care of home and family. Yet, in your busy world of life, one has to schedule and make time to take care of and love oneself more each day.
4) Add More Physical Activities to Your Life, Now
Peace of mind and fulfillment comes with continuous movement and activity. Being physically active will help you to encourage yourself to stand confidently in stressful or challenging circumstances. So, exercise regularly, try your best to eat right, and indulge yourself in more outdoor activities.
5) Plan and Dedicate an Hour a Day
If you are a working person or a student, plan and dedicate an hour a day to yourself. This hour is entirely yours, uninterrupted. You can read books, go out for a walk, go to the gym, listen to good music, or do something positively creative or fun that you enjoy. For self-care, you can drink more water, take a multi-vitamin, or fix a healthy meal. For self-love, you can create a good skincare routine, write something positive in your journal, or schedule yourself for a massage at a professional massage parlor.
6) Never compromise!
You are not made for abuse or being used in unhealthy ways. Never compromise when it comes to your self-esteem and self-worth because you are not someone else's abuse, whipping, or guilt-trip post. You are self-care and self-love personified. You are the best of all. Believe that fully, and pray on it if you have to, to get you there.
7) Wake Up Early
One of the best success habits to self-care and self-love, to maintain a vibrant life is to wake up early in the morning. Treat yourself with a good breakfast and a planned fresh and active day ahead.
8) Good Health Comes First
Acknowledge the fact that YOUR good health comes first. Your good health is significant and non-negotiable. Eat well, sleep well, and worry and stress less. Schedule and see your primary care doctor at least twice each year. You only get one of you, always advocate for and strive to have you in your best health. Love and care for you!
9) Surround Yourself with Positive and Supportive People, Always!
Do not let toxic (negative) people near you or allow them to bring you down to where they are. Be yourself and stay with positive people who recognize your potential, love to see you grow, and accept the unique, caring, and loving person you are each day.
Now, make and take the time to invest in you because you are worth it. We are all born with infinite potential and equal worth as human beings. To think you are anything less is an untrue belief. Care for yourself, love doing it, and put you first because you are awesome and a blessing to the world. Take the nine steps outlined above to start in the effort to increase your self-care and self-love daily
Hello! What is one good method you used to improve your self-care or self-love in the past? Please feel free to share your strategy by commenting below. Thank you in advance for sharing.
About the Author: Ty Howard,
Founder, CEO and Editor in Chief of MOTIVATION magazine
Ty Howard is an organizational development consultant and executive and manager development coach. He's an internationally recognized authority on personal, professional, relationships and success habits development. He is the creator and lead facilitator of the trademarked Untie the Knots® Process, and the author of the best-selling book Untie the Knots® That Tie Up Your Life: A Practical Guide to Freeing Yourself from Toxic Habits, Choices, People, and Relationships, as well as dozens of published articles on relationships, healthy habits development, empowerment and peak performance worldwide.
For information on the author click on the following link: Ty Howard.
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